Mission to Magadan

Editor's Note: In January 1991, Anchorage Archbishop Francis Hurley helped a small group of Russians establish the first Roman Catholic parish in the city of Magadan, Russia, a city of about 130,000 people located about midway up the country’s east coast. From its dozen original members — who initially had no church, no resident pastor and virtually no support from the local community — the Parish of the Nativity of Jesus has slowly grown into a vibrant Catholic community widely appreciated for its commitment to the most vulnerable citizens. For many years parishioners worshiped in a renovated apartment room. On Christmas day in 2002, they moved into an actual church — the first Catholic church ever built in the city. Since 1994 an Alaskan priest named Father Michael Shields has been the resident pastor of the parish, and since 1996 he has been assisted by another American priest, Father David Means. Later a third priest, a Slovakian named Father Milosh Krakovsi, joined the eastern outpost mission. Archbishop Hurley retired in 2001 but his successor, Archbishop Roger Schwietz, has continued to support the Mission to Magadan. Here are the stories and columns the Anchor has published about the mission since the newspaper’s founding in April 1999.

June 25, 1999
Long-awaited spring brings sense of renewal to Russian Far East

July 9, 1999
Motivation in Magadan springs from center of worship: The Mass

February 2, 2001
10 years free and still growing

February 2, 2001
Magadan parish reaches out to survivors of Stalin labor camps

February 2, 2001
Upon this rock, I will build my church

February 16, 2001
In Russian labor camps, rosary was prisoners’ catechism

January 18, 2002
Hurley sees positive changes on Russia visit

January 18, 2002
Russians, with less than enough, give to Sept. 11 victims

April 12, 2002
Religious turmoil fails to halt Magadan church project

May 10, 2002
Shields on his way to Magadan

June 7, 2002
Magadan court rules for priest; government says it will appeal decision

July 19, 2002
Judge upholds ruling supporting Fr. Shields’ Magadan ministry